Why does Jesus tell parables? Because he wants you to be so inspired by and engaged in the parable that his story becomes your story. You are the sheep. You are the farmer. You are the seed or the son, the builder or bridesmaid.
“When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables, they knew he was talking about them” (Matthew 21:45). Jesus’ point hit home so clearly that these religious professionals “looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet” (Matthew 21:46).
This parable of Jesus didn’t just come across to them as information. Like a billboard on a busy interstate you just drive past or a Facebook ad you scroll past and it doesn’t matter. It inspired them. They acted on it, although in a sinister and sinful way that eventually involved false evidence, fraud and framing an innocent man for crucifixion.
So I want to ask you a hard question. These sinful men heard Jesus speak and responded “Aha, that’s me he’s talking about!” and they did something because of it. Why haven’t you always heard Jesus’ parables, had an aha moment, and then acted on it?
At least Jesus’ parable had an effect on these men. That’s more than you and I can say when we hear Jesus’ parables and yawn or shrug or point the finger at someone else “you need to hear this,” then go on our way. Sorry, but we’re no better than the corrupt religious professionals—the priests and Pharisees—who murdered Jesus. At least they got the point.
Is that enough to make you pause, and not only listen more closely to the next parable of Jesus you read or hear, but say, “Aha, that’s me he’s talking about!” and then act on it?
Then look again at this Bible verse. There’s someone else, besides the priests and Pharisees. See them? See yourself? You’re part of the crowd. You’re one of the people holding Jesus close, holding onto Jesus by faith, holding his teachings to be true. You’re not one of the priests or Pharisees.
You’re a friend and follower of Jesus, which means you want to hear one more parable so that you can say “Aha, that’s me he’s talking about!”
There’s someone else in this verse. Not the priest, not the Pharisee, not the people. See him? The “prophet.” The Storyteller. The very one who speaks—as prophets are assigned by God to do—telling parables that promise you his mercy on those who don’t deserve it, his forgiveness for those who disobey and disappoint again, his new life for anyone stuck in addiction or bad habits.
You want to hold onto the story and the Storyteller with your life, because you know they hold onto your life.
What’s your story? A Jesus-changed new life, a Jesus-filled satisfied life, a Jesus-taught walk of life?
I tell two stories in this sermon about the power of Jesus’ parables. One is about Netflix, and the other is about a newly single mom who is inspiring our church by living out a parable of Jesus in real life.
PRAYER: Jesus, your stories are powerful because you are the Storyteller. I want to better understand, appreciate and act on your words. Tell me another story. Inspire me to listen, learn and live! Amen.
SPIRITUAL NEXT STEP: “Can I tell you a story?” is a powerful and non-threatening way to tell a friend about Jesus. Work with your group to select 3 parables of Jesus that would inspire an unchurched person.
